Vergara added that Guzman Salazar was considered a key member of the Sinaloa Cartel in charge of el Chapo's assets.

"Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, a native of the state of Jalisco, is considered one of the main members of the Sinaloa Cartel and a key figure in that criminal organization, not only because of his blood ties to it's leader, known as el Chapo Guzman, but because he was also in charge of his assets," he said.

Joaquin Guzman, nicknamed "El Chapo" in Spanish, escaped a Mexican jail in a laundry cart in 2001 and runs the Sinaloa cartel, arguably the country's most powerful gang.

Drug violence in Mexico has exploded over the last decade, and there have been more than 55,000 drug-related killings since President Felipe Calderon took office in December 2006.

Thursday's arrest comes just over week before Mexico votes for a new president. The ruling National Action Party (PAN) has lost support due to the drug violence ravaging the country. The constitution bars Calderon from running for re-election.

The U.S. Treasury said last month Americans were banned from doing any business with two of Guzman's sons, who were identified as Ivan Guzman and Ovidio Guzman, under the terms of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.